Flow-Rite fortifies efforts with additional staff
Flow-Rite has fortified its marketing efforts by filling two newly created positions. Justin McQueen joins the company as product marketing manager and Daniel Muschiana as graphic and web designer. Todd Hart, Flow-Rite president, made the announcement. With a deep understanding of the competitive landscape, McQueen develops new product ideas and business opportunities through collaboration with Flow-Rite staff, current customers, and potential OEM and aftermarket partners. He establishes go-to-market strategies including initial forecasting, target market identification, refined pricing tactics, and product placement. McQueen comes to Flow-Rite with a strong track record of developing profitable, scalable, and strategic marketing initiatives. Most recently, he was a marketing business development consultant with Perspective Communications. Prior, he was the marketing director for KPS Essentials. McQueen holds a bachelor of science in advertising and public relations from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan. Ensuring company brand consistency, Muschiana collaborates on the creative workflow for all Flow-Rite digital and printed marketing collateral from conception to delivery. This includes literature, advertising, product launches, direct mail and email campaigns, and e-retailer listings such as Amazon and eBay. He is responsible for show and event design work and developing and managing all corporate websites. Established art and design professional, Muschiana was most recently a partner at Allie & Muschiana Design LLC. Prior, he was a partner and project manager at Bonfire Media Midwest and senior graphic designer at Part Pit Stop. He holds two bachelor’s of fine arts degrees from Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids, Michigan, in design and visual communications – multimedia, and graphic design. “I’m excited to have Justin and Daniel join the Flow-Rite team,” said Hart. “We’ve been pioneers in developing fluid control solutions for the marine, RV, and industrial segments, and now we have a robust team of highly skilled professionals that will take our product marketing and promotion to a new level.” Flow-Rite is a vertically integrated company that designs and manufactures a wide range of fluid control and IoT devices. Its single-point lead-acid battery watering systems are used extensively in boats, RVs, golf carts, lifts, floor scrubbers, and industrial applications such as forklifts and locomotives. The company’s marine line includes livewell, baitwell, and ballast solutions with unique Qwik-Lok™ connectors.
Fenton retires on June 30th at United Rentals
United Rentals announced that Jeff Fenton, Senior Vice President, business development, will retire on June 30. He will be succeeded by Alfredo Barquin, who will lead the company’s M&A growth strategy as vice president, business development. Fenton will continue working with the company as a senior advisor through December 31, 2022. Fenton joined United Rentals in his current position in 2012. Over the past decade, he has been instrumental in the successful completion of dozens of acquisitions and other transactions to expand the scale and depth of the company’s service offering and built a high-performing business development team to support strategic growth. “I want to personally thank Jeff for his many contributions to a landmark decade of growth for our company, and wish him the very best in his retirement,” said Matthew Flannery, United Rentals CEO. “Jeff’s done an outstanding job of furthering our vision in line with our values. As Alfredo takes the reins in June, his strong track record with strategic expansions and our world-class team will ensure a smooth transition.” Barquin joined United Rentals in January from SWM International, a global manufacturer of engineered industrial performance materials. He most recently served as chief growth officer of SWM, following roles as general manager and CEO of company subsidiaries and vice president, corporate development. Previously, during an 11-year tenure with GE Energy (now GE Power), he led M&A initiatives as managing director, global business development, and earlier managed development activities for Eaton Corp. Barquin holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in international business from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Caldwell’s new hires target customer experience
Rockford, Illinois-based The Caldwell Group Inc. has named Jeff Ferchen, director, business development; and Lisa Sympson, marketing manager. The appointments chime with wider endeavors to further enhance overall customer experience, which is a focal point for Ferchen especially, who will also oversee inside sales and engineering activities. Sympson, meanwhile, aims to strengthen the company’s marketing efforts to better serve distributor customers and share the story of Caldwell’s lifting solutions with end-users. Ferchen brings 24 years of industry experience, including roles at The Crosby Group and Rockford Rigging, while Sympson returns to the material handling industry, having spent 23 years at Grainger Inc., North America’s leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating products. Darrin Noe, director of sales at Caldwell, said: “These appointments show our commitment to continuing to build a quality inside roster to enhance the overall customer experience. We have several things we want to achieve—both short and long term—and to reach those goals, we knew we had to invest in our human resources.” Doug Stitt, president and CEO at Caldwell, said: “Jeff is a major appointment. He brings extraordinary knowledge of the industry, first-hand experience with the products, and exemplary relationships with our customer base—a combination that will benefit greatly the way we serve distributors and end-users. With Lisa—like Jeff—we knew immediately that she would fit into the Caldwell culture and brought the right skill-set, attitude, and work ethic to help us get to the next level. Her broad and diverse marketing background is going to help us grow by creating better web experiences, stronger new product introductions, and better product information.” Caldwell, which provides equipment on the Grainger platform and via a global network of distributors, is a manufacturer of standard and custom lifters, rigging gear, and other material handling products. It recently completed an overhaul of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, with a primary focus on inventory management. A multifaceted business, Caldwell and the RUD Group unite their sales and marketing activities in the U.S. and Canada for material handling and lifting devices within a common organization; and clamp manufacturer J.C. Renfroe is a thriving subsidiary. Unique perspective Sympson said: “It is exciting to work for an industry pioneer that is strong and growing. Having been on the distributor side of the industry previously, it is going to be interesting to offer my insight to a manufacturer and learn about a different level of the supply chain, creating the assets I know distributors want and need. I am looking forward to assisting customers in finding the best solutions—to help them complete projects on time, on budget, with reliable, top-quality solutions. We will further improve communication to clients about new products and their capabilities, bolstered by an enhanced online presence over time.” Sympson will be present at the upcoming Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF) event and Product Information Exhibition (PIE), which takes place at the Marriott Marquis Houston on April 24-27 and will be responsible for the creation of the Caldwell trade show experience at future expos. “Caldwell is about relationships,” she said. “Events give us the opportunity to talk to our partners and learn first-hand what they love, what they need, and how we can make their lives easier. I want to hear people’s stories.” Noe added: “We still have a number of positions currently open—production personnel, administrative help, and outside salespeople—for which we’re actively seeking candidates.”
TVH receives 7th consecutive MHEDA MVS award
TVH Americas, a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, has earned the prestigious Most Valuable Supplier (MVS) Award for achievements in 2021. The MVS Award is granted by the industry’s trade association, Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) to less than 10% of all member companies. This is the 7th consecutive year that TVH has earned the MVS Award. This industry award recognizes companies who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their dealer network, their employees, and their community. To qualify for the MVS Award, TVH was required to meet a series of criteria in a number of areas important to the distributor companies who do business with them. In addition to confirming an ongoing commitment to safety and employee training, award recipients must provide documentation of active participation in a program that “gives back.” MVS Award winners have demonstrated an overall commitment to business excellence by documenting programs in the following areas: Industry Advocacy Distributor Advocacy Business Networking Continuing Education Business Best Practices “TVH is honored to be recognized as a Most Valuable Supplier for the 7th year in a row,” said Simon Witdouck, Vice President of TVH. “MHEDA provides opportunities to develop partnerships, learn innovative business practices, and improve relationships across the industry. The partnership with MHEDA is crucial to our success, and I am incredibly grateful for their continued support and recognition.” “Achieving the MVP Award demonstrates TVH’s dedication to constantly improving the material handling industry. It is an honor and privilege for MHEDA to have so many companies achieve this award that requires continual improvement in customer and employee satisfaction and never-ending education of our industry throughout your organization,” said Tom Albero, Chairman, and CEO of Alliance Material Handling, Inc. and 2022 MHEDA Chairman.
Blue Giant appoints Mack as sales manager of lift tables
Blue Giant Equipment Corporation has just announced that Ron Mack has been appointed as Sales Manager for Lift Tables. Ron has been in the lift table business for 23 years and he will be a great asset to the Blue Giant team. Ron has worked in the material handling industry for over 25 years and has spent the last 23 years specializing in managing and selling lift table equipment across the United States and Canada. Most recently, Ron managed all aspects of sales, customer service, and dealer relations for a leading manufacturer of ergonomic work positioning equipment. Jeff Miller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, stated “With Ron’s industry experience, product expertise, and strategic planning skills, he will be a great asset to the Blue Giant Lift Table team. His wide range of skills will be essential as we continue to grow and develop our lift table business.” With strong expertise in new business development and sales management, combined with extensive industry experience and knowledge, Ron will play a crucial role in the continued success and development of the Blue Giant lift table business.
Applied Manufacturing Technologies once again recognized by FANUC America for Outstanding Robot sales
AMT once again achieved the prestigious Sales Growth Award from FANUC America for attaining outstanding year-over-year growth in robot sales for 2021 Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), North America’s largest independent automation engineering company supporting manufacturers, robot companies, system integrators, line builders, and users of robotic automation worldwide, today announced the company has once again received the Sales Growth Award for Authorized System Integrators from FANUC America Corporation. AMT is recognized for outstanding year-over-year robot sales growth in 2021 and was previously recognized in 2018 and 2015. The Sales Growth Award for Outstanding Robot Sales is awarded annually at the FANUC Automated System Integrator (ASI) Conference. The 2021 recipients were announced on February 16, 2022, at the 23rd annual ASI Conference in Miami, FL. “Applied Manufacturing Technologies received FANUC America Corporation’s 2021 Sales Growth Award in recognition of their robotic sales achievement and yearly growth,” said Lawrence Marino, account manager for FANUC America Corporation. “The award is presented to FANUC America’s Robotic Authorized System Integrators who achieve a minimum of 50 percent growth in robot unit sales over the prior year.” “I would like to thank FANUC America for once again recognizing Applied Manufacturing Technologies with a Sales Growth Award,” said Michael Jacobs, president and CEO of Applied Manufacturing Technologies. “Our decades-long partnership has given us the tools and support to stay at the forefront of robotic technologies in the manufacturing industry.” AMT offers full-service systems integration, specializing in end of line solutions, complex material handling systems, and engineering support such as turnkey industrial controls, robotic programming, and automation consulting. Bringing together best-in-class technologies and custom automation, AMT provides high-quality, cost-effective automation solutions. The company’s solutions have benefited manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, medical, alternative energy, fabricated metal, industrial machinery, rubber and plastics, food and beverage, and many other industries.
Lincoln Electric acquires Kestra Universal Soldas, Indústria e Comércio, Importação e Exportação Ltda
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. just announced that it has acquired Kestra Universal Soldas, Indústria e Comércio, Importação e Exportação Ltda. (“Kestra”), a privately held manufacturer headquartered in Atibaia, São Paulo State, Brazil. Kestra manufactures and provides specialty welding consumables, wear plates, and maintenance and repair services for alloy and wear-resistant products commonly used in mining, steel, agricultural, and industrial mill applications. Kestra advances Lincoln Electric’s 2025 Higher Standard strategy in South America by broadening its specialty alloys portfolio and services. Kestra’s annual revenue is approximately USD$15 million. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Lenze Americas welcomes new Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Lenze, an automation company for the machine-building industry and a specialist in motion-centric automation, recently announced the appointment of Vice President of Sales and Marketing Michael Harper to the Lenze Americas executive team. “We are excited to welcome Mike to the Lenze Americas team, and look forward to supporting his plans to strategically develop sales and significantly expand our market share in North America,” said Christian Wendler chairman of the Lenze executive board. “His in-depth knowledge of robotics, motion control, and industrial automation will be a real asset to our sales channel and our customers.” Harper is an experienced sales professional, with extensive expertise in strategic growth leadership and sales management. His industry background includes many years in sales leadership positions at Festo, Soft Robotics, and AutoGuide Mobile Robots. “I look forward to contributing to Lenze Americas continuous path of growth in North America and reinforcing its strong reputation as a responsive and technology-forward automation company,” said Harper. “For me, customer success and satisfaction should be the key drivers in every step of our business development and improvement.” Harper holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech and an M.B.A. in finance from East Carolina University.
Lenze Americas welcomes new President and CEO
Lenze, an automation company for the machine-building industry and a specialist in motion-centric automation, recently announced the appointment of President and CEO Tom Mathias to the Lenze Americas executive team. “We are delighted to have Tom join our North American team,” said Christian Wendler, chairman of the Lenze executive board. “With his addition, we have gained an executive manager with in-depth industry knowledge and many years of relevant experience. Tom was very successful in his management positions at various industrial companies. We look forward to having him lead our Lenze Americas team into the future and drive our company growth in this very important market. Lenze’s automation expertise can make a real difference for machine builders looking for higher productivity, better energy efficiency, and lower system cost.” Mathias’ 25 years of experience in the industrial automation industry include roles of increasing responsibility with GE, FANUC, Parker Hannifin, and Omron in Europe, Japan, and the Americas. Most recently, he was president & CEO of Omron Robotics & Safety Technologies. Mathias has expertise in global general management, sales leadership, and merger/integration. “Lenze is a world-class automation company, and I join the team with both a deep respect for the company’s history and genuine appreciation for our future potential in the Americas,” said Mathias. “I’m thrilled to join the Lenze organization and look forward to working together with our customers, partners, and employees to continue delivering best-in-class automation solutions.” Mathias holds a B.S. in electrical and electronics engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Motion promotes Tart to VP-Southeast Group
Motion Industries, Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions has announced the promotion of Jon Tart to Vice President of the Company’s Southeast Group, effective March 1, 2022. Mr. Tart was promoted from his position of Baltimore Division Vice President. Starting with Motion in 1996 as a Customer Service Representative, he transitioned to the Corporate Training program in 1997, then moved to a sales territory in 1998. Since then, Mr. Tart has served as Branch Manager of two branches, Division Sales Manager, Area Vice President of Corporate Accounts for the Northeast and the Southeast, and Baltimore Division Manager. Mr. Tart will report to Kevin Storer, Executive Vice President, Branch Operations. “Jon’s impressive background and his ability to leverage his vast experience and competitive nature will ensure success in the years ahead,” said Mr. Storer. “I look forward to seeing him successfully lead the Southeast Group to new heights.” A graduate of East Carolina University, Mr. Tart holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and an MBA.
Casper, Phillips & Associates Inc. (CPA) has named employees minority Associate Principals
Casper, Phillips & Associates Inc. (CPA) has named employees Richard Phillips and Andrew Hanek minority Associate Principals. Phillips and Hanek remain mechanical engineers and civil engineers respectively at CPA but are now taking on leadership roles. CPA offers a wide variety of services, including procurement, specification, design, manufacturing review, modification, and accident investigation. The three current principals—Jeff Hubbell, Tom Hubbell, and Mike Zhang—are leading the company after Rich W. Phillips, stepped down in 2020. Phillips and Hanek represent a new generation of ownership, and CPA is looking forward to a bright future. Richard Phillips Phillips, 35, has 11 years of company experience, performing peer reviews of contractors’ crane designs, including some of the largest container cranes in the world. He has experience in machine design and has designed mechanical systems for use on container cranes, overhead cranes, airplane paint stackers, and other systems. Phillips has performed finite element analysis of container cranes, rail-mounted gantry cranes, Goliath cranes, and whirly cranes. After graduating from Oregon State with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), he went on to get a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) from the University of Southern California. Since being hired out of college, Phillips has been part of many successful projects and proven to be a valued team member. He has worked in all of CPA’s major branches and has been adaptable to the different industries the company serves. Phillips said: “I had a general idea of my career path even before attending college as my father [Rich W. Phillips] was the founder of the company. Stepping up to ownership increases the responsibility but also helps to spread out the workload shared by the principals. From a client’s perspective, they benefit from a long-term vision, enabling all parties to grow together.” Andrew Hanek Hanek, 32, has eight years of design experience with CPA, focusing on container cranes and overhead crane systems, in addition to performing peer reviews of crane designs, design of repairs and retrofits, custom software programming for finite element analysis pre-and post-processing, and 3D point cloud scanning and processing. Other notable work includes developing a container crane anti-seismic system, assisting clients in planning, and purchasing cranes, and 3D solids modeling of the wharf to soil interface for offloading. Hanek grew up in the Pacific Northwest. From high school, he knew he wanted to be a structural engineer and went to college to study structural engineering. There, he harbored ambitions of starting his own company, before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Washington and Master of Science in Civil Engineering at Oregon State University. Supported by a successful career to date, Hanek also fulfills his ambition to step into company ownership. He said: “After working with CPA over several years and getting great enjoyment from the projects we do, it’s exciting to continue to build on what we have achieved to date and cement a legacy in the business through incremental ownership. I hope to leverage my strong background in modern technologies, including programming for design. I enjoy responsibility as the in-house, go-to for our programming and 3D-related scanning questions, for example.” Ongoing collaboration The team is well prepared to meet the immediate, mid-, and long-term challenges of customers. Jeff and Tom Hubbell are licensed structural engineers; Hanek is a civil engineer and has a goal to become a licensed structural engineer; while Zhang and Phillips are licensed, mechanical engineers. Hanek has already started onboarding some of Rich W. Phillips’ clients and is helping to fill in the void that he is leaving as he transitions into retirement. Many projects will involve collaboration with multiple team members. As Phillips said, “Cranes are not just structural steel; they are a complex system of electrical, mechanical, and structural components. No individual can have expertise in all these areas of practice.” Proprietary software development One of Hanek’s immediate objectives is to maintain and develop the proprietary structural software suite, previously overseen by Rich W. Phillips., while Phillips Jr. creates a proprietary mechanical software suite. Without proper planning, the increasing size of vessels can make equipment and facilities obsolete long before the capital investment is amortized. Before the cranes are purchased, CPA can quickly analyze different crane geometry, such as the effect of rail gauges, and help ports procure cranes that best suit their specific needs. Pre-purchase engineering can ensure the cranes do not overload the dock, and the specified crane is buildable. Phillips said: “Crane manufacturers like to re-use old designs because it saves money on engineering. However, it is impractical to design a standard crane that meets the requirements of all ports worldwide. Geological conditions where the cranes will be used dictate many different design considerations. A container crane is designed for use in Florida will be designed for hurricane winds, while a crane destined for Los Angeles will be designed for earthquakes. Some locations will require that the cranes pass under a bridge during delivery.” Hanek concurred: “The challenge of standardizing a crane design starts to become more apparent when these conditions are considered. Designing a standard crane for a standard earthquake to be shipped under a standard bridge and placed on a standard dock is impractical. Therefore, CPA developed proprietary software—to analyze cranes for all the different conditions and requirements.”
TestEquity wins Treston’s 2021 Electronics Distributor of the Year Award
TestEquity, a test and measurement solutions distributor in the U.S., just announces that it has been named Treston’s Electronics Distributor of the Year for 2021. The award recognizes leading electronics distributors that bring innovative and pioneering products to market to drive industry growth and excellence. Treston is a global leader in providing ergonomic workstation solutions to increase workplace productivity. Through its partnership with TestEquity, it has been able to increase its industry presence and diversify its customer base. TestEquity received the award for achieving remarkable sales growth and exceeding customer expectations. It also offers industry-leading speed of delivery – 99.8% of in-stock shipments are made the same day. TestEquity also demonstrated rapid customer growth for increased product sales, superior inventory management, and high customer satisfaction rates. “We are honored to receive this award from Treston and to be acknowledged by one of our valuable business partners,” said TestEquity CEO Russ Frazee. “TestEquity is committed to providing world-class service, and we will continue to raise the bar. We remain committed to the success of Treston’s innovative products and know our relationship will only get stronger as we move forward together.” Treston is among the world’s leading suppliers of industrial furniture and workstations, providing high-quality, durable workstation solutions globally for more than 140 years. The head office and factories are located in Finland, with subsidiaries in six countries: Sweden, the UK, Germany, France, the United States, and Russia. Treston ergonomic workspace products are designed to make daily work more accessible, more comfortable, and less stressful – the result is happier, healthier employees and a more efficient, more profitable workplace.
Women In Trucking Association announces its March 2022 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Ginger Pitts as its March 2022 Member of the Month. Ginger is an Automated Side Loader (ASL) Recycling Truck driver for Waste Management (WM) in Oklahoma City. Ginger is a native Oklahoman who grew up in Enid and moved to OKC about seven years ago. She has quite the entrepreneurial spirit as she ran a restaurant in Enid for almost 20 years before changing careers and starting a business. Her business transported pets of military families across the country from one duty station to the next because pets aren’t included in the moving process. Ginger visited nearly every state in the nation before being injured while acting as a good Samaritan helping a stranded motorist. While Ginger was recuperating from the shoulder injury, she started training to drive a school bus. The training she received put her on the pathway to becoming a truck driver. As a child, she always loved watching the trash trucks empty the large metal cans and throwing them like they weighed nothing at all, but never dreamed of the possibility of driving a truck someday. She drove a school bus for Mustang Public Schools and loved interacting with all the children. However, in May 2020, the school district shut down because of the pandemic. Ginger saw a sign that WM was hiring and decided to apply. She was hired and said she had finally found her niche. Ginger says the joystick-type controller is like playing a video game. There’s a great deal of skill involved in using the joystick to empty the recycling carts without damaging or knocking them down. Each day her mission is the same, emptying an estimated 900 carts and returning each one to its original place without any damage or failure. “One of the things that many people don’t know is the unique service offered to senior citizens or disabled individuals in that even with the automated trucks; the driver will stop the truck, retrieve the cart, empty it, and place it back in its spot. It is so rewarding to help these folks!” she said. A big benefit of the job is the smiles she receives from the children on her route. Ginger always waves or honks the horn for them. One young boy on her route draws pictures all about the recycling truck and all the recycled items. He leaves the pictures on the cart, and she keeps them in her truck and on her refrigerator at home. One thing most people don’t know about Ginger is that she is in Oklahoma’s Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame. She received this honor because of her skill as a shortstop for over 35 years in Oklahoma. Ginger loves her job and encourages other women to join, saying, “Don’t hesitate! Women can do anything! It’s a great industry! Jump in and enjoy the ride!” WM is a sponsor of the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel, an event hosted by WIT to celebrate female CDL holders on Friday, March 25, 2022 at the Mid-American Trucking Show in Louisville, KY.
Dorner appoints Lindsey Muchka as new Director of Marketing
Lindsey Muchka has been appointed the new Director of Marketing for Dorner. In her position with Dorner, Muchka will head up all of the company’s marketing and advertising efforts that support its conveyor platforms. Additionally, she will coordinate new product research and development functions for industrial and sanitary markets, plus lead Dorner’s public relations, Internet, and trade show activities. Prior to joining Dorner, Muchka worked for 11 years at Tailored Label Products, Inc., where her roles included a variety of sales and marketing positions, including most recently as director of marketing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the University of Wisconsin, and a master’s degree in marketing from South University. “I feel very fortunate to join such a talented group of dedicated professionals here at Dorner,” Muchka said. “I look forward to working closely with our sales and distribution network to further promote the Dorner brand to our global audience.”
Port of Long Beach Named ‘Public Partner of the Year’
Inland Empire Economic Partnership presents award at the annual ceremony The Port of Long Beach was named the “Public Partner of the Year” by the Inland Empire Economic Partnership this week in acknowledgment of efforts to support business development and create jobs in the Inland Empire, an important link in the global supply chain. The accolade was accepted at the organization’s annual awards ceremony in Ontario, Calif., on Feb. 23 by Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero, a member of the IEEP’s Southern California Logistics Council, which convenes to address issues challenging the local logistics industry. “It’s important for the Port of Long Beach to have a close working relationship with the Inland Empire Economic Partnership,” said Cordero. “It helps us make goods movement more efficient in this region, boosting economic benefits and reducing environmental impacts. It’s an honor to accept this award.” “This award is a meaningful recognition from an essential partner,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal. “We support the IEEP’s work advocating for smart and responsible development in the Inland Empire, which plays a vital role in the journey of cargo from sea to warehouses and distribution centers and ultimately to store shelves and consumers.” Learn more about the Inland Empire Economic Partnership at www.ieep.com.
CFO Anke Groth to leave KION GROUP AG
Anke Groth, a member of the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG and responsible for Finance and, as Labor Director, for Human Resources, is leaving the Company. Ahead of the upcoming renewal of her Executive Board contract, she has agreed with the Supervisory Board to end her work for the KION Group on March 31, 2022, in order to pursue new opportunities outside the Group. “We would like to thank Ms. Groth very much for her outstanding work over the past four years. The KION Group has been able to report excellent results year after year, and the market capitalization reflects this successful track record. In addition, Ms. Groth has sustainably strengthened the KION Group’s financial position – even though the Corona crisis period. With a Group-wide efficiency program, she has laid important foundations for the long-term competitiveness of the operating units. She has been very successful in developing the finance function into a high-performance business partner and has applied her considerable expertise to driving forward the harmonization, digitization, and automation of processes in finance and HR. The activities of the M&A unit she led have made a lasting contribution to the growth and expansion of the KION Group’s technological expertise”, says Michael Macht, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG. “We regret her departure and wish Ms. Groth a continued successful career.” The KION Group will provide information on a successor in due course. Until then, Rob Smith, Chairman of the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG, will lead the Finance department on an interim basis and take on the role of Labor Director.
Nucor Chief Financial Officer Jim Frias to retire; Steve Laxton to be promoted
Nucor Corporation has announced that Jim Frias, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Executive Vice President, plans to retire effective June 11, 2022, and will transition out of the role as of March 6, 2022. Steve Laxton, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Planning, has been named his successor. Messrs. Frias and Laxton will work together over the next several months to conduct a seamless transition of CFO responsibilities. Mr. Frias, 65, joined Nucor in 1991 as Controller of Nucor Building Systems – Indiana. Over the years, he took on roles with increasing levels of responsibility, serving as Controller of Nucor Steel – Indiana and later as Corporate Controller. He was promoted to Vice President in 2006 and has served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Executive Vice President since January 2010. During his tenure as CFO, Mr. Frias helped navigate some of the most challenging times in the steel industry and was part of the team that achieved record performance in 2021 – setting new records for earnings, revenue, steel shipments, and, most importantly, safety. Mr. Frias also established a capital allocation framework that has been a key part of helping Nucor achieve its most recent success. Since 2010, Nucor has returned more than $10 billion to stockholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases, while generating an average annual return on stockholders’ equity of more than 13% and maintaining the strongest credit ratings in our industry. Leon Topalian, Nucor’s President and CEO, commented, “Jim’s impact as a Nucor teammate over the last 30 years and as CFO for the last 12 years has been tremendous and will have a lasting effect on our company. Jim has ensured that we maintain our strong financial position, allowing us to reinvest to strategically position and grow our portfolio of capabilities across the steel value chain. Equally impressive as his financial stewardship are his integrity and his nurturing of Nucor’s team-oriented culture. I am personally grateful to Jim for his expertise, guidance, and candor as I transitioned into the CEO role over the last few years. “On behalf of all my Nucor teammates, I want to thank Jim for his leadership and for his immeasurable contributions to the long-term success of Nucor. We wish Jim and his family a long and happy retirement.” “It’s been a privilege to have served this great company for three decades and to have worked with such an outstanding team,” said Jim Frias. “I am confident in Nucor’s continued success and look forward to working alongside Steve over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.” Mr. Laxton, 51, began his career with Nucor in 2003 as General Manager of Business Development and was promoted to Vice President in 2014. Prior to joining Nucor, Mr. Laxton worked for Cinergy Corp., holding various positions including Director of Asset Management and Manager of Corporate Development. Prior to Cinergy, he held various financial roles with Ashland, Inc., North American Stainless, and National City Bank. Mr. Laxton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Marketing from Georgetown College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky. “Steve is a proven leader whose 19 years of experience with Nucor have positioned him well to take on this new responsibility,” said Mr. Topalian. “He has a strong track record of strategic thinking, financial acumen, and exceptional leadership. He will be a great addition to our executive management team. Jim’s retirement and Steve’s promotion are the product of the robust and thoughtful succession planning process that has been a strategic priority throughout Nucor for many years.”
Bob Begley joins the JLG® Product Management team
Named Director for Scissor Lifts, Vertical Lifts, and Low-Level Access Lifts JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and a global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, has announced that Bob Begley has joined the company as director of product management for scissor, vertical and low-level access lifts. In this role, Begley is responsible for the company’s multi-generational product plan, as well as driving the direction and implementation of its go-to-market strategies. “Within the last few years, JLG has taken big leaps in the evolution of its aerial lift portfolio, incorporating exciting new design changes and introducing new specialty models, including all-electric, lightweight, and indoor-only options,” says Begley. “Many of these progressive design changes were customer-driven and focused on productivity. And, that work continues today.” Begley says that stepping into this role, he and his team will continue to work with customers to gather feedback, as well as observe first-hand how JLG® machines are being used on job sites. These inputs help us identify application challenges that will fuel future customer-inspired innovations. “We take this approach seriously,” he says, “By closely working with customers throughout the product development cycle, we ensure that the JLG brand is developing and delivering advancements across our product lines that drive tangible value on job sites.” Begley notes that his team is also focused on highlighting product enhancements across all three of the product lines he is responsible for to provide users with a similar experience, regardless of what machine they are using. This will continue to improve the overall customer experience with JLG equipment. He also adds that the ongoing evolution of equipment through innovative, integrated technologies, will continue to drive productivity and safety improvements on JLG scissor lift, vertical lift, and low-level access lifts. Prior to joining JLG, Begley held various product management roles with Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment Corporation, Volvo Construction Equipment, and Ingersoll-Rand. Before getting into the construction industry, Begley served in the United States Navy. His education includes an ASAST in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Thomas Edison State University, a BSME in Mechanical Engineering from Youngstown State University, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana University – Kelley School of Business Together with his director of product management peers, Ara Eckel, Daliborka (Dali) Ribeiro, and Nate Hoover, Begley will focus on fulfilling the company’s mission to elevate access across three pillars: Safety, Productivity, and Technology.
Kevin Rowles to transition to CEO Role, Nathan Storey appointed Storage Solutions President
Storage Solutions Inc. (SSI) announces that current President/CEO Kevin Rowles will transition to focus solely on his role as CEO as the company appointed Nathan Storey as its new acting President. Rowles has been with Storage Solutions for 25 years and has served as President since 1995. He assumed the CEO role from Founder Craig McElheny in November 2020 when the company began partnering with private equity firms Merit Capital Group and MFG Partners. His transition to solely focus on the CEO role will allow him more time to form partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, and long-term strategies. “We are fortunate to have someone of Nathan’s caliber to promote from within our organization to become our new President. Over his 15-year tenure with Storage Solutions, he has challenged himself to learn, understand, and in many cases enhance many of the tools and processes that we use today,” explained Rowles. “His entrepreneurial spirit and leadership acumen will allow us to advance our strategic goals of progressive growth and sustained achievement. For many reasons, I am excited and proud of this announcement.” “For me, this is an inspiring time to be a part of the Storage Solutions family,” explained McElheny. “I am proud of how far this company has come since we were selling storage lockers back in 1978. Now, we are one of our industry leaders because of the team we’ve built, the processes we’ve put in place, and the dedication and trust we all have with each other.” Storey has been with Storage Solutions since 2006, serving as an Account Manager, Project Manager, Operations Manager, and Vice President of Operations. In February 2021, Storey was promoted to Chief Operations Officer, where he oversaw the company’s overall operations, including the company’s growing logistics, purchasing, and installation divisions, and is also the point person behind the company’s internal sales operations and technology. “I am humbled to accept this role after the company has achieved five consecutive record-breaking years of growth,” said Storey. “We have an amazing culture, a foundation of success, and we will continue to look forward to the future with a growth mindset. We have much work to do, but I am confident we have the team in place to accomplish our goals.” Founded in 1978 as Penco Products of Indiana, Storage Solutions has grown to be a leader in integrating material handling and automation solutions for warehouses, distribution centers, and fulfillment centers. Since being named President of SSI in 1995, Rowles has overseen the company’s headquarters relocations to Westfield in 1998 and again in 2008, the opening of its Kansas City office in 2002, its transition to becoming an ESOP in 2013, and its acquisition in 2020. Along the way, the SSI has also launched a used equipment purchasing, installation, national sales accounts, logistics, solutions development, and project management divisions. “We have an amazing leadership team in place, and we will continue to grow based on sound, strong decision-making,” explained Storey. “I look forward to working with Kevin in his new capacity and am thrilled that our team has such a bright future ahead of us.”
Raymond’s Derrick Miller named Rock Star of the Supply Chain
Derrick Miller, regional sales manager, iWAREHOUSE® at The Raymond Corporation, has been named a 2022 Rock Star of the Supply Chain by Food Logistics. The Rock Star of the Supply Chain award recognizes influential individuals whose achievements, hard work, and vision have shaped the global food supply chain. “I am honored to be recognized for this award alongside so many brilliant industry leaders,” Miller said. “At Raymond, our entire team is passionate about working with customers in strategic partnerships to solve their unique challenges with innovative and customized intralogistics solutions.” During his more than four years at The Raymond Corporation, Miller has championed the iWAREHOUSE Labor Management System (LMS) as a way for businesses to improve their supply chains and operational efficiency. Miller also has been recognized as a leader in the industry, speaking at various conferences and webinars and participating in interviews in industry publications. Miller and his team have focused their efforts on working with customers to enhance their operation by identifying new technologies and leveraging telematics data. Using this data correctly provides opportunities for optimization to help drive businesses forward and ensure they are operating as efficiently as possible. Miller’s expertise helps operators understand how an optimized warehouse can create more product space, increase workforce productivity and reduce operational inefficiencies.